low-voiced question from some one. Then again the doctor’s decided answer: “Of course not! Hospital fee does not pay for crutches. What do you want for a dollar, anyhow?”

He listened with interest as each man described his symptoms or his needs. “It makes me feel almost well to hear about all those things,” he reflected. The broad shoulders and cheerful smile of the doctor appeared in the doorway, and with heavy footsteps the owner of these two pleasant possessions approached Loring.

“Feeling pretty good this morning?” asked the doctor.

Stephen answered that he was.

“That’s fine,” exclaimed the doctor. “At one time you were a pretty tough case. I thought[45] we’d have the trouble of a funeral in camp. Swell affairs they are, here. But say, did you ever see a funeral in Phœnix? Why, they trots ’em in Phœnix!”

[45]

Loring expressed his admiration for such a spirit of activity, while the doctor was propping him up in bed, and adjusting the bandages.

“I guess you won’t have to work for some days,” remarked the doctor. “It is lucky you did one day’s work, as it just pays for your hospital fee and medicine.”

“Hard luck, doctor,” laughed Stephen, “but that had to go for traveling expenses.” Hearing light footsteps on the porch outside, the doctor went to the door. Loring heard him answer some question.

“Well, Miss Cameron, I guess it won’t kill him to see you. It may even be good for him. Come in by all means!”

Loring looked up and saw framed in the doorway, like a picture, a girl frank of eyes and fresh of coloring. A little Scotch cap was perched on the waves of her tawny hair. Her gown was of dark blue, relieved at neck and throat by bands of white, and girdled by a ribbon of red and blue plaid. Across her arms lay a sheaf of yellow and[46] red wild flowers such as creep into abundant life among the forbidding rocks. The vision seemed to bring a new tide of life and vigor to Loring. He forgot his weakness and raised himself for a moment on his elbow; but the effort was too much for him, and he sank back exhausted on his pillow.

[46]

The girl hesitated for an instant. Then she stepped quickly over to his cot.

“This is Miss Cameron, Loring,” 

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